One-piece locomotive-spring hanger and method of making the same



rgMarh 19, 1929." I c. WIDDICOMBE ONE PIECE LOCOMOTIVE SPRING HANGER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed March 24, 1928 Patented Mar. I 19, 1929.

UNITED STA TESL PATENT o Flc CHARLES rpwrnmcomnn, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ONE-PIECE LOGOMOTIVE-SPRING HANGER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

Application filed March 24, 1928. Serial No. 264,430.

of the hanger are finished in one operation in such a manner that the metal surrounding these holes iscompressed and made more dense thereby making a'longer wearing bearing for the pin.

The locomotivespring hangers of the present type consist of two side straps, an intermediate member which is pivotally secured between the upper ends of the straps, and

then a loose gib or key. This makes the ordinary hanger composed of five parts without counting the bolt at the bottom by means of which the hanger is attached to the equahzer Q 'or other support.

In the drawings: Y I

Fig. 1 represents a pair of locomotive springs with my hangers in position on one end of the springs, the opposite ends of the hangers being attached to an equalizer or equalizing bar. I

Fig. 2 is a face view of one of the hangers with parts broken away;

38 of Fig.2; and

manner of finishing the holesin thelower ends of the hangers.

In the construction of my device I employ a hanger which is provided with arms 5 and 6. These arms are joined together at their upper ends by a curved portion 7 thus making the hanger substantially U shaped. Formed integral with the upper ends of the arms 5 and 6 and the curved portion 7 is a web or rib 8. This web or rib extends across the U or upper portion of the hanger and has its lower edge 9 rounded so that when this edge rests on the upper leaf of a spring, the hanger can readily rock thereon. v

Formed integral with the curved portion 7 and the web 8 is a web or rib 10.' This web or rib is intermediate the arms 5 and 6 and is parallel thereto. The portion 11 of the web 10 extends beyond the lower edge 9 of Fig. 3 is a vertical section takenon the line Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectionshowing the ob. v a

After the cylindrical portion has passed the web Sand is designed to enter slots 12 7 formed in theends of'the springs.

The lower ends of the arms 5 and Gare provided with bosses 13 through which are formed openings '14 and 15. The arm 6 is also provided with a counter-sunk portion 16,-

which is concentric with the opening 15 and is designed to receive the head 17 ofthe bolts or pins by means of which the lower ends ofthe hanger are secured'either to the.

locomotive frame or to the ends of equalize ing bars 18. The openings 14 and 15, as well as the counter-sink 16, are cored so.that no. drilling is necessary.

In. order to fini h the holes 14 and 15 21 drift pin 19 is employed. This drift pin is made of hardened steel and has its central portioncylindrical while the ends 20 and 21. aretapered so that the pin can be readily inserted in. andpassed through the openings.

The manner-of finishing the hanger is as follows: A sleeve 22 is placed between the bosses 13, this sleeve being a snug fit between the opposing edges of the bosses. The hanger is then placed on' the bed plate 23 of a press. The end 21 of the drift pin 19 is then insertedv in the opening 15after which pressure is exerted on the end 20 of the drift pin by means of the rain-Qt'of the press, The. ram of the press then moves downward forcing the'drift pin through the openings 15 and 14c, and since a'drift'pin has its central portion larger than the cored openings, it will naturally force the metal outward therebycompressing itaround these openings and leaving a smooth finished through both of the openings, the tapered portion 20 reaches these openings and the drift pin can be readily withdrawn. The sleeve 22 isthen removed and the device is ready for installation.

The installing of the hanger is as follows: The locomotive springs or rather the ends thereof are passed between the arms 5 and (S the hanger being raised high enough so that the portion 11 of'the web or rib 10 will be above the top leaf of the spring. The hanger is then moved along the spring until the portion 11 enters one of the openings 12 formed in the springs. The hangeris then lowered so that the edge 9 of the webor rib 8 rests on the top leaf of the spring. The lower end the bolt or stud through the openings and 16 in such a manner that the head of the stud enters the counter-sink 16.

It will be' seen from the foregoing that it is a very simple matter to attach my improved hanger, that the same is made of one piece and requires no machine, such as drilling, facing and the like, which is the case with the old type of hanger.

Furthermore I have found that even should one of the arms 5 or 6 become broken, the hanger will still function and support its proportion of the weight, at least until proper repair can be made.

It will'be further noted that a cross section of the webs or ribs 8 and 10 is in the form of a cross. The rib 8 is at right angles to the plane of the arms 5 and 6 while the rib 10 is parallel to these arms and at right angles thereto and also that the portion 11 of the rib 10 projects below the lower edge of the rib 8.

I have further discovered by making a microscopic examination of the openings of the lower part through the hanger after the drift pin had been forced therethrough that the metal was rendered more dense or homo eneous thereb toughenin the metal b .V a as angles to the planeof said arms, a second rib integral with said member-at its closed end and integral with said first mentioned rib, said second mentioned rib located midway of the arms andparallel thereto and projecting beyond the lower edge of the first mentioned rib. V

2. A one piece locomotive spring hanger comprising a U shaped cast member having parallel depending arms, a rib integral with said member at its closed end and at right angles to the plane of said ar1ns,a second rib integral with said member at its closed end and integral with said first mentioned rib, said second mentioned rib located midway of the arms and parallel thereto and projecting beyond the lower edge of the first mentioned rib.

A one piecelocomotive spring hanger comprising a U shaped member having spaced aiart parallel arms, ribs at right angles to each other integral With the closed end of said member, one of said ribs being parallel to and intermediate the arms and being of greater length than the other :rib, and bosses having openings therethrough integral with the ends of said arms.

4. A one piece locomotive springhanger comprising a U shaped cast member having spaced apart parallel arms, ribs at right angles to each other integral with the closed end of said member, one of said ribs being parallel to and intermediate the arms and being of greater length than the other rib, and bosses having openings therethrough integral with the ends of said arms.

In testimony whereof I have atiixed my signature.

CHARLES r. WIDDICOMBE. 

